Can aligner



Nov. 29,1938. P. vANNUccl CAN ALIGNER Filed May 17, 195s v N H05 NUNLN Patented Nov. 29, 1938 Unire sg'mrss NA'rer Frio 4 Claims.

The present invention relates particularly to a device constructed and arranged to receive a group of cans and automatically reposition them for delivery in a single row.

In illustrating the operation and use of the device specic reference is made to the canning art.

One step in the art mentioned is the labeling of the cans, but to eifect the said labeling the 'i0 cans must be delivered to the labeling machine in a continuous row. Heretofore it has been cusltomary for two operators, working alternately, to remove the cans from the stacks by hand and place them in a row in the chute leading to the labeling machine.

However, devices such as disclosed in my patent bearing Number 1,999,491, and dated April 30, 1935, are now provided for picking up a number of cans at the same time, and it is highly de- S sirable that means be provided whereby a group of cans in a can handling device may be automatically positioned in -a single row in the feed chute when released thereto, and Without manual adjustment.

It is, therefore, the principal object of my invention to provide means for receiving a group of cans and automatically aligning them in a single row ready for delivery to any desired point.

It is another object of my invention to provide means of the character indicated that will be simple in form and construction, economical to manufacture, simple in operation, durable, and highly eilicient in its practical application.

In the drawing:

Figure l is a perspective illustration of a device embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view on line 2 2 of Figure 1.

In the particular embodiment of the invention herein disclosed I show at I a central member having a top surface in the form of a horizontally disposed cylinder. To function as hereinafter described it is clear that this surface need not 45 necessarily be cylindrical, but may have any one of numerous forms in which the two sides div-erge downwardly.

On one side of the member I is formed a chute 2, the member I itself formingv one side 50 thereof, the said chute lying in parallel relation to the said central member. One end of the chute 2 is disposed at one end of member I and near the top thereof as indicated at 3, and from this point the chute slopes downwardly along the side 55 of member I, thence around one end thereof as at 4, and thence downwardly along the other side of the member as at 5 where it discharges upon incline 6. Railings as 1 are mounted on the sides of part 4 to constrain the cans to roll thereon.

At 3 is shown another chute disposed on the side member I opposite chute 2 and directly over chute portion 5 and preferably in parallel relation thereto. The chute 8 is spaced above chute portion 5 sufliciently to permit cans to roll freely thereunder, and the position of its uppermost edge 9 relative to the inclined top surface of member I corresponds to the position of edge 3 of chute 2.

By means of this arrangement of the chutes it is clear that if cans are placed on chutes 2 and 8 the cans on chute 2 will roll down over sections and 5 and on to the incline 6, while cans placed to roll down chute 8 will roll oil of the lower end thereof as indicated by arrow IIJ and take their places in the row discharging from 5.

In use, the cans are deposited in an upright position in two rows, one on either side of the longitudinal center line of the top surface of member I as indicated at I2. When the cans are released those on one side of the center line topple over into chute 2 and roll down and are discharged at 6 as above described, While the cans on the other side of the center line will topple over into the chute 8 and be discharged into the lower row at Ill as above described. The cans are indicated in their upright position at I2, in an intermediate toppling position at I3, and in the rolling position at I4.

The height of the cans is immaterial since short cans will topple over and slide down the incline to the chute below in the same manner as tall cans.

It is to be understood, of course, that While I have herein shown and described but one specific embodiment of the invention, changes in form, construction, and method of operation may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Means for repositioninggrouped cylindrical objects, such as cans, and the like, to form a single row comprising, a horizontally disposed oblong member having a top surface that diverges downwardly from its median line, a chute disposed on each side of the member to receive objects deposited thereon from the said top surface, one of said chutes leading to, and having a discharge end overlying, the other chute whereby objects rolling down the rst chute will discharge therefrom into the line of objects rolling down the second chute.

2. Means of the character described for repositioning grouped cylindrical objects such as Y cans and the like to form a single row comprising, a horizontally disposed oblong member having a top surface that'diverges downwardly from its median line, oppositely inclined chutes disposed onropposite sides of the member to receive objects from the top surface, one of said chutes leading to, and having a discharge end overlying, the other chute Whereby'objects rolling down the first chute will discharge therefrom Y into the lineof objects rolling down the second chute.

3. Means for repositioning grouped cylindricalk objects such as cans and the like, to form a single row comprising, a horizontally disposed oblong member having a'top surface that diverges downwardly from its median eline, oppositely inclined chutes disposed on opposite sides of the member, one of said chutes encircling one end of said member and passing under the other chute whereby rolling objects on the said other chute will be discharged into the line of objects on the under chute.

4. Means for repositioning grouped cylindrical whereby objects rolling down the one chute willv be discharged into the line of objects rolling down the other chute.

PILADE L. VANNUCCI. 

